Sharad Pawar-Team Anna showdown; vary on statements

New Delhi, Dec 12: Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said that he and his party were not invited to participate in the open public debate over the Lokpal issue that was held on Sunday, Dec 11 at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi.

He further said that the Lokpal issue would be debated in the Parliament and opinions would be presented in front of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

"All parliamentary representatives yesterday mentioned the importance of parliament on Lokpal. I am happy about that," said Pawar.

A debate was set up at Jantar Mantar, where Anna held a one-day token fast along with the leaders of various political parties to discuss over the Lokpal Bill. This was the third time that Anna held his fast in his fight for a strong Lokpal Bill.

However, Pawar's statement was in contradiction with what Arvind Kejriwal had said at Jantar Mantar yesterday. The RTI activist had read out a letter sent by Congress on why they abstained themselves from participating in the Lokpal debate. The letter read that the Lokpal issue would be debated and a bill will be passed in parliament.

"Debate outside parliament was premature," said Congress.

Anna Hazare, who sat on a day-long-symbolic fast at Jantar Mantar yesterday, warned of another revolution against the government if they failed to pass a strong Lokpal Bill.